"I can't believe this, the Prime Minister kidnaped and now..supposedly, the Sailor Scouts are somewhere in my school," Principal Oksua muttered as General Nagumo and Chief Ozaki stood in his office.

"That certainly seems to be the enemy's belief,"General Nagumo said.

"Yeah..I don't suppose you know who they are do you?" Chief Ozaki asked.

"If I did do you think I would still be a principal? No, I would have cashed in selling my story to the media." Oksua said. "Nice home out in the country, I would farm..."

"That's wonderful Oksua, but we really need to find those Sailor Scouts," Nagumo said.

"I've got it, I'll call an assembly and ask the Sailor Scouts to come forward," Oksua said.

"Actually that's a stupid plan, the Sailor Scouts have left their identities be secret for a reason..it's that whole batman thing," Ozaki said.

"You're right," Nagumo said. "Principal Oksua, I suggest you send all your students home."

"Of course General, I've been doing that a lot lately," Oksua muttered.

"Nagumo can I talk to you outside for a minute," Ozaki said.

"Okay," Nagumo said and the two headed out.

"Are you sure we want to give up the Sailor Scouts for the Prime Minister. I mean..she goes..we still have a fighting chance..they go.." Ozaki said.

"I know, tactically we're making a mistake, but how can we justify leaving the Prime Minister in their hands?" Nagumo said.

"If we don't stop this enemy, the whole world will be in their hands."

"You're right of course, what we have to do is find the Prime Minister before the Sailor Scouts surrender."

"Actually sir, that's our job now," Stanton said walking up flanked by Captain Ozaki and Colonel Nagumo.

"Uh.hi," the younger Ozaki and Nagumo said.

"Ehh...Stanton, the Prime Minister isn't here, let us handle this," General Nagumo said.

"Yeah..butt out, we've got a plan," Chief Ozaki said.

"I'm in command here, Prime Minister put me as second in command for all of these sort of activities, you two are not supposed to be called upon unless I say so," Stanton said.

"You forget who took you in first Stanton," Nagumo said.

"You two are planning on letting them kill the Prime Minister aren't you?" Captain Ozaki said.

"How could you?" Colonel Nagumo said.

"We didn't say that, in fact what we want to do is save the Prime Minister and save the Sailor Scouts, but if we can't do both, the Sailor Scouts take priority," Nagumo said.

"You're not running this operation, I am," Stanton said.

"Just try and stop us," Nagumo said.

"Yeah," Ozaki said and stepped into Oksua's office. "I've got another idea."

"Which is?" Oksua asked.

"Yes what is it?" Nagumo asked following.

"This isn't good at all," Colonel Nagumo said.

"Yeah, they didn't listen to us," Captain Ozaki said.

"Don't blame them really," Stanton muttered. "Come with me...I have my own ideas."

"Will all the students please go home immediately. Furthermore, Sailor Scouts whoever you are, General Nagumo and Chief Ozaki have a message for you," Oksua said.

"Yes we do," Nagumo said. "Scouts we need to talk, please return to the school as soon as you can."

"Yeah...we can't just let you surrender can we?" Ozaki said.

"Right..please hurry," Nagumo said.

"All right, everyone out," Haruna said. The scouts all started to move. "Say...Serena..wait a minute,"

The others hurried.

"Uh..what Miss H?"

"Isn't it hard to believe that here of all places is where the Sailor Scouts are."

"I guess...but you know how strange things are known to happen to um..strange people..um..in strange places..or something," Serena said.

"Yes, that's true," Haruna said. Haruna gestured with her hand for Serena came closer. Serena walked up.

"Good luck to you and all of your friends," Haruna said with a grin.

"They haven't surrendered yet," Cyprine muttered sitting on top of the van.

"No, and they should soon or their Prime Minister is a goner," Puchirol said.

"Still...if they don't surrender, the life of their Prime Minister doesn't even matter anymore, there's no point in killing her then."

"That's true, we'll be fighting a battle then."

"I hope this works, would they be foolish enough to risk their lives for this."

"Humans are strange, but they wouldn't just let one die.

"Can you feel it though, there are humans all around us waiting to attack...holding their primitive weapons."

"Yes I can feel it. They are not a threat."

"Do you have the crystals?"

"Yep. Right here."

"Good."

"You know what though, we forgot to tell them to surrender that annoying Tuxedo Mask too."

"Well with the Sailor Scouts gone it won't matter anymore."

"Yes, he can't stand against us."

"That's right."

"CELESTIAL MOON POWER!"

"MERCURY PLANET POWER!"

"VENUS PLANET POWER!"

"MARS PLANET POWER!"

"JUPITER PLANET POWER!"

The five finished their transformations quite quickly and we're soon racing back to the school.

"Any idea what we're going to do yet?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Mercury?" the four said.

"I don't know yet, this is never an easy dilemma," Mercury said.

"You got that right," Venus said.

"If we surrender, the world's doomed most likely," Jupiter said.

"If we don't, someone will die," Mars said.

"Wonderful situation we've got going here," Sailor Moon muttered.

Minutes later at the back of the school which was filled with SDF vehicles and police cars.

"Sailor Scouts," Nagumo said. Ozaki nodded.

"Do you have a plan sir?" Sailor Mercury asked.

"Not as of yet, but we're hoping to get one, I'm sure you all realize that if you surrender...." Nagumo said.

"We know," the five said.

"But we also know there's a life at stake," Venus said.

"That's the problem isn't it?" Chief Ozaki said. "We're hoping to somehow find the Prime Minister before the deadline."

"That may not be easy, if they're using powers she may not even be in this dimension for all we know," Jupiter said.

"We have to try though," General Nagumo said.

"Can't you girls just sense it or something?" Ozaki said.

"It's not that simple," Mars said.

"We shall find the Prime Minister!" came a shout. Standing on top of a rock was Maxfield Stanton in surprisingly his Negaverse uniform, behind him stood Colonel Nagumo wearing a weird sort of heroic outfit, and Captain Ozaki in her own outfit.

"What are you three doing?" General Nagumo muttered.

"You all look like fools," Chief Ozaki said.

"That uniform looks familiar," Colonel Patterson muttered from a car nearby.

"Actually Neph..I mean Stanton's looks very nice in his uniform," Venus said.

"Yeah...I can see what you mean," Jupiter said.

The other three scouts sighed.

"The Prime Minister is here somewhere, we'll find her, you concentrate on attacking those things, when the deadline is reached," Stanton said.

"And just how are you three going to find her?" Ozaki asked.

"You'd be surprised," Stanton said.

Since Coral was once merged with Zoicite there might be some negaenergy left over, which would allow me to trace her, but I can't tell them that.

"Let's go," Stanton said and the three hurried off.

"That does not have me resting any easier," Nagumo said.

"Uh huh," Ozaki said.

"So..um...Maxfield..just how are we going to find the Prime Minister?"Captain Ozaki asked.

"Easy," Stanton said at the wheel of his car. "She had a homing device in case something like this happened to her."

"Really?" Colonel Nagumo said. "But how are you tracking her."

"Oh...this is just too annoying," Stanton said and raised his hand. Two bolts of energy flew out and hit each of the women.

"You will not remember this and will not question me, you will simply go with the flow," he said. The two women's eyes snapped open.

"Are we there yet?" Ozaki said.

Stanton shook his head.

Meanwhile.

"Patterson are you in position?" Nagumo asked.

"You bet I am," Colonel Patterson said. "We've got the third division waiting just down the street. You just wait we're going to give em some tough love."

"Can't wait," Nagumo said.

"I have my men waiting all around here. I've even got the snipers up here."

"I've had mine set up for ten minutes."

"Well phooey on you."

Nagumo cracked a brief smile.

"So where are the Sailor Scouts?"

"Making plans."

"Okay...so..here's what I'm thinking, Sailor Moon goes down into the sewer..." Mars began.

"I already object to it," Sailor Moon said.

"You would.."

"Well why do you have to go down in the Sewer?"

"Because you have to surprise them," Mars said. "Venus you'll draw their attacks. Jupiter will leap out of the second story window right at them. Mercury will lay down a fog cloud."

"And what will you be doing?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I'll be coming up from behind them. Me and Jupiter will hit them, then we'll give you the signal. You'll Moon Spiral Heart Attack up and blast them from there, then we'll finish them off," Mars said.

"I don't want to Moon Spiral Heart Attack in sewer water!" Sailor Moon said.

"But Sailor Moon think about it, Mars and I have the hand to hand fighting abilities needed, Mercury needs to deliver the fog, and would you rather be shot at it," Jupiter said.

"Actually yes," Sailor Moon said.

"Fine, Venus go down in the sewer," Mars said.

"I will not," Venus said. "And why are you making up the plans?"

"Yeah, you're not the leader," Sailor Moon said.

"Okay, you come up with a plan," Mars said.

"Okay, we're going to need a wrecking ball, a Ferris wheel, and one of those balloons they use in parades," Sailor Moon said. The other four glanced at her. "For starters..."

"What?" Sailor Moon said. "We'll distract them with the balloon and then drop the Ferris wheel on them with the wrecking ball."

The four glanced at her again.

"Let's go with Mars' plan," Jupiter said.

"Only if Sailor Moon goes down in the sewer," Venus said.

"Take one of the team Sailor Moon," Mars said.

"I'll take one of the team on your head," Sailor Moon said.

Later.

Venus starred out the school window and sighed at the two.

How can anyone be so cold about this. One life isn't worth the lives of the world. But that's not necessarily the case. Maybe something would work out? Or even if it doesn't. Sylia's a good friend, and now she's just expendable. I don't get it, it can't be right. Or at least it shouldn't be right. I just don't know how I could justify to anyone how we let someone die to save ourselves. Especially Sylia.

Mars sat on a table and thought.

There is no question what we have to do. We have to stop the Death Busters at all cost. That may mean Sylia Coral has to die, but how many will be destroyed otherwise. No it's not a nice idea, but life is not always nice. Sure, we could give up and Sylia Coral might live, but the Death Busters would sweep over the world and probably destroy everything. Either one will die, or all will die. I'd prefer to have only one person's blood staining my life.

Jupiter was leaning against a wall in a darkened hallway..

No, this isn't an easy choice. If they can't find her, we may have to sacrifice her to save everyone. I'm glad I don't know her that well, because if I did I might feel differently, but I have to think of the bigger picture. Though I wish I didn't have to. Why do I have to wait. I want to fight them. Why do they cower from a fair battle? Warriors meet on a field of battle, they wait until their opponent is ready, and then they fight. The winner is the winner, there is never any doubt. This is not the same. We meet an enemy that are not warriors. Why do I have to fight them? They do not deserve the honor of facing warriors in battle. They should be handled by forces at their own level. But then..again...warriors also protect people...and if we let one die to save others...are we still warriors? Maybe...it shouldn't be this complex.

Mercury leafed through a book she had found.

Logically the choice is clear. One human life does not mean more than millions. If Sylia Coral isn't found by the deadline we'll have to attack and face the consequences of that action. Of course this isn't just about logic. How could I tell Sylia's friends and family that she was left to die because it was logical. They wouldn't see it that way. They'd see us as the ones who let her die. And they'd be right. Their maybe no way to prevent this situation, and most people would probably agree that we did what we had to. That doesn't mean we won't feel the pain of it.

Sailor Moon was sitting on a stairwell.

Life and death decisions. I'm not supposed to make them. I'm just a teenage girl. What right do I have to say who lives and dies? And yet here I am, supposed to say...oh...we'll just let the leader of a country die because we had to protect millions. Oh sure, it looks good on paper. One dead instead of a million, but that one person meant something. Now I'm supposed to mean something too by somehow deciding people's fate for them. No..this isn't what I'm supposed to do. That's not my job.

"Any luck yet Stanton?" General Nagumo asked over the telephone.

"I'm getting closer," Stanton said.

"Really..how long?" Nagumo said.

"Hard to say, it may take me another five minutes to get there, but it also depends on whether there's any resistance."

"We can send some troops along."

"Maybe you should, I'll tell them where to go when I get there."

"Right. Hurry, we've got less then twenty minutes," Nagumo said and hung up the phone.

"How's it going?" Ozaki asked.

"They're getting closer."

"How does he know?"

"I didn't ask, but if he finds her, it won't matter how he did it."

"True enough."

"You know Ozaki, this is what soldiers and cops are made for."

"Yeah...I get what you're saying. This is where the training is supposed to come in, when we're the ones that have to make the decision for the greater good."

"Exactly, most people are moralizing right now. Questioning existence and how life can be so cruel to give them these kind of choices. We know that if Stanton doesn't get the PM, there is only one option."

"We open fire and those Sailor Scouts go in and clean house."

"Yes. We would be remiss in our duty to defend the people if we didn't realize that is the only choice."

"Agreed."

"I remember the good old days though. Sure...we didn't have to fight anyone, but we knew that if there was a war or a threat to our security, the SDF would jump in and we could hang with anyone."

"Same here, mafia shootouts, gangland fights, the occasional well armed bank robber. We showed up and we brawled and we won."

"Yeah..and now..we sit here hoping five teenage girls can save humanity."

"With occasionally that guy in the tuxedo and all those other jokers they have working with them showing up."

"Right. How pathetic are we?"

"Ehh..we're doing fine. The Americans can't seem to fight a war that doesn't involve them missing more targets then they hit."

"Very true."

The two let a slight grin slide across their faces.

"What is this I sense," The Dark One, Hotaru Tomoe said as she rose from her throne. "The forces of the...of the negaverse...yes...I remember...and he's heading right for that leader..I will have to stop him."

"There it is," Stanton said and hit the brakes. His car slid to a stop. He pulled out his phone and speed dialed.

"Nagumo, I'm at tenth and Elm avenue. The dumpy old grain elevator. We're going in. Send some troops."

"Right, they're coming," Nagumo said "Good luck. You've got seven minutes."

"So I do," Stanton said and hung up.

Colonel Nagumo and Chief Ozaki drew their revolvers.

If anyone nonhuman is in there those weapons won't do a thing. Stanton thought. But I'll worry about that later. He pushed open the door to the elevator and advanced. Ozaki and Nagumo followed. Nagumo had a flashlight, which she flashed into the darkness.

"It looks empty," Ozaki said. They heard a slight sound.

"Up there," Stanton said. Nagumo shined the light up. Prime Minister Coral, bound and gagged was hung from the ceiling.

"How do we get her down?" Ozaki said.

"Does it matter, she's safe," Nagumo said.

"With no guards?" Stanton said. "Wait!"

Something moved and Ozaki was hit and knocked to the ground.

"What?" Nagumo said before she was also hit.

"There is an enemy here," Stanton muttered. "I have no other option," he said and from his hands came a slight flare of light. The grain elevator was lit up with energy. There on one side of the wall was a daimon completely black.

"Surprise," Nephlite said.

The daimon hissed and flew at him.

Nephlite stepped aside and using his powers multiplied his image around the elevator.

"Now..which one am I?" he said.

The daimon looked around unsurely. Nephlite raised his hand and it filled with energy. The daimon lunged at one of the images randomly.

"Wrong," Nephlite said and blasted the daimon with energy. It blew apart.

"I did not want to do that..." he said as a frown formed on his face and his eyes narrowed. "I can't go back..at least not to what I was before....no...the power has a part of me now.."

The Prime Minister made noises.

"Hmm..I'll have to wipe her memory," Nephlite said. "But now.."

"You've got her!" Nagumo shouted with a grin and turned to Ozaki. "He found her, she's safe...we're going in."

"Leave it to us General. No use of your troops getting hurt if they don't have too..if we need some help, you'll know," Sailor Jupiter said.

"As you wish," Nagumo said.

"Good luck," Ozaki said.

Jupiter pulled out her communicator.

"Everyone ready?" she asked.

"You bet," Venus said.

"Sort of," Sailor Moon muttered from the sewer.

"Deal with it. I'm ready to go," Mars said.

"Same here," Mercury said.

"Okay then we're all set," Jupiter said.

"Oh..no they found her," Cyprine and Puchirol said.

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Mercury shouted. The air was covered with fog.

"No!" Cyprine shouted and the fog was blasted away as Jupiter and Mars leapt at the two. Puchirol swung around and kicked Mars in the head knocking the Sailor Scout down. Cyprine jumped off the van, and Jupiter missed her smashing into a pile of bushes beyond.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" Venus shouted and sent her attack flying at Cyprine who quickly pulled out her crystal the attack was sucked into it.

Now I'm immune to that. She thought.

"What?" Venus shouted.

Cyprine and Puchirol's van exploded as Sailor Moon blasted through the street and jumped through the hole.

"What's going on up here?" she asked.

"Don't ask.. Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars shouted and threw her attack out. Puchirol caught it with a crystal.

"Huh."

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

Puchirol saw it coming and caught the attack.

"I don't get it," Jupiter said.

"Silly...we can catch any of your attacks with this crystal!" Cyprine shouted and charged Venus who ducked out of the way and flipped forward. Cyprine back flipped and threw out an energy blast, Venus dived out of the way and skidded along the ground.

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!" Jupiter shouted in two seconds. The attack flew out. Cyprine grinned and turned catching the attack with the crystal.

"They really mean it," Mars said.

"You bet we do!" Puchirol shouted and sent a wave of energy flying at Jupiter, Mars, and Sailor Moon. Mars rolled under it, Jupiter jumped above it, but Sailor Moon panicked and was knocked several feet backward into a group of bushes.

"Things aren't going well are they?" Nagumo asked as he and Ozaki watched from a window at the front of the school.

"Apparently not," Ozaki said.

"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" Mercury shouted from inside the building. Her attack flew at Cyprine's back. At the last second the enemy turned and caught the energy with her crystal.

"It's too powerful," Mercury said.

Jupiter lunged forward swinging her fist.

"So predictable," Puchirol said and blocked it kicking Jupiter in the stomach, the Sailor Scout went flying backward and collapsed to the ground. Sailor Mars yelled and did a jump kick but was blasted out of the air by Cyprine. She landed on the roof of a car and it smashed to pieces.

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Venus shouted and launched her attack hoping to snag Cyprine's arm. The energy caught and wrapped itself around her wrist. Puchirol leapt forward and touched the energy with her own crystal absorbing it.

"Dang it!" Venus said. Cyprine and Puchirol sent waves of energy flying at her. She tried to jump out of the way, but was hit with them anyway and knocked into the wall of the school.

"Are they losing?" Nagumo asked.

"Yes..they are," Ozaki said.

"Now what do we do about it."

"Good question."

CHAPTER 66 CHAPTER 67 CHAPTER 68 CHAPTER 69 CHAPTER 70  CHAPTER 71 

CHAPTER 72 CHAPTER 73 CHAPTER 74 CHAPTER 75  CHAPTER 76 CHAPTER 77

 CHAPTER 78 CHAPTER 79 CHAPTER 80  CHAPTER 81  CHAPTER 82 CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84 CHAPTER 85  CHAPTER 86 CHAPTER 87 CHAPTER 88 CHAPTER 89

 CHAPTER 90 CHAPTER 91 CHAPTER 92 CHAPTER 93 CHAPTER 94 CHAPTER 95

Return to story Menu